#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1903-02-10

Hello darlings! Welcome to another #TutuTuesday – and wouldn't you know it, my dear readers, this one is particularly special! It's February 10th, 1903. Now, you might think, "What's so fancy about 1903, Emma?" But you see, that's the joy of a little time travelling – there's always a secret story hidden in the cobbled streets and gaslights!

Just as a little insight, dear reader, I got to spend this day on a chilled carriage journey up to Paris, just after seeing Sleeping Beauty at Covent Garden – they have the most divine costumes! I may be more of a fan of the romantic ballets – you know, the ethereal twirls, the grand jetés – but Sleeping Beauty had some utterly splendid dramatic dances! Now, onto Paris. As a woman of ahem discriminating tastes, Paris is practically home. Imagine, darlings – shops overflowing with ribbons, silks and the most gorgeous shoes, the sound of Parisian café au lait in a bustling brasserie, oh, and I cannot forget the theatres! Paris simply has it all, a veritable haven for a lover of fashion like myself!

You know I'm a big advocate for pink, my dearest readers, and I always go for a pink tulle tutu. So much more à la mode than just white, don't you think? But, this particular time in 1903 is when a big shift in dance fashion happened. And that shift dear readers, wasn't in our skirts. Oh no, no. We are talking the silhouette of the entire dancer. We have to thank our Russian ballerinas, because let's face it, they've got all the moves, for creating a truly stunning shape for our art form – The "Romantic" Silhouette.

It’s less crinolined and much more light. It all starts at the bodice. Gone are the fussy Victorian stays of earlier decades – which frankly confined your movement - and we are now seeing corseted bodices. And here, oh dear reader, is a little fashion trick that is all the rage right now – the "pointed waist". You must understand, the beauty of dance is in its fluid movements – this isn't a strictly corseted shape but an alluring hugging of the figure, the dancer almost "blooming" at the shoulders, before curving down to the tiny waist. Oh, the beauty of it!

This shift also affects our tutus – because with our bodices being so wonderfully flexible, we want to accentuate that fluid line from neck to toe. The shape is very, very important. In our tutus, the fabrics became much more ethereal, gossamer light – soft, almost diaphanous, so we could twirl freely and express movement like a butterfly.

This style made an appearance at the ballet The Sleeping Beauty, a stunningly beautiful bal de cour, which is simply an incredible mix of ballet and ballroom dance that was first shown on January 15th, 1890 at St Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre! It gave the prima ballerina - oh she was glorious! – a chance to display these graceful lines! Imagine a skirt that flutters upward like a cloud at its first pas de deux!

Paris has been my haven this week for so much fun! What can't you find here, I ask you! Even today, I spotted the most decadent collection of feather boas at "The Parisians” a fantastic dress-making and costume shop – all sorts of wonderful outfits for those chic ladies on stage! You simply have to add some feathered fun to your tutu – after all, we are performers. We are the art, dear readers – it’s all in the details, you understand.

Did I mention shopping for a new pink tutu? Oh yes, of course! I know I said, it's the "romantic" silhouette, but, one mustn't forget a bit of sparkle. Oh, Paris!

So as my little adventure here wraps up, and I’m whisked back to my dear Derbyshire, where I will get back to my classes, I have so many thoughts on ballet and the world of dance! From Sleeping Beauty to Giselle – the ethereal beauty of ballet just calls to us, you see, to wear the light. It is so much more than just the moves. It is that magic we create! That moment of utter loveliness which is simply pure happiness.

It was a busy, exciting journey for this tutu traveller so I hope I haven't worn you out, my dears. Do tell me – what's your favourite ballet?

And, of course, always stay tuned for #TutuTuesday on www.pink-tutu.com, dear reader, you will never miss the story.

Until next week,

Yours truly,

Emma

(And a small, final tutu tip for the week, readers – pink is the colour of the future).

P.S. This post was number 3711!